The Raid 2, or The Raid 2: Berandal, is a 2014 Indonesian action film directed, written, and edited by Gareth Evans. This film is a sequel to The Raid: Redemption which was released in 2011. This time around, the plot follows Rama, the lone cop from the first installment, while deeply broadening the narrative scope in order to add Rama’s story into an expanding crime saga and to push the boundaries of action cinema.
While the plot of the first film, The Raid: Redemption, was more contained within a singular building, this time the film has a more bold, operatic tone and ambitiously broadens the narrative behind the film. The narrative is one of crime, betrayal, political intrigue, and martial arts combat, which is remarkably unusual in modern cinema. In addition to the stunning fight choreography and masterful direction of the film, its intrigue lies within the elevated storytelling. For this reason alone, The Raid 2 is considered one of the greatest action films of the 21st century.
Plot Overview
A few hours after the initial film, The Raid 2 (2014) picks up where Rama (Iko Uwais) emerges from the bloodshed within the high-rise drug den. To his dismay, it turns out that the fight was the first skirmish of a much larger conflict. The foes he vanquished were simply pawns in a criminal syndicate tangled with the city’s politics and police force.
In order to dismantle the organization from the inside, Rama needs to go undercover which comes with the price of putting his family in danger. His goal is to cut off one of the most powerful crime syndicates in Jakarta, led by Bangun a mobster with twisted honor. To gain Bangun’s trust, Rama must first win over his hot-headed and opportunistic son Uco which he does by staging a deadly prison brawl later earning him the reputation of a brutal and loyal fighter.
After Rama assumes the position of a recruited enforcer, he becomes embroiled in a turf war that engulfs Bangun’s group, the Japanese Yakuza lead by a criminal named Bejo and seeks to displace the established order. As betrayals, violence, and the shifting of alliances begins becoming the norm, Rama in the midst trying to survive the rising danger while grappling 2020 with holding onto his cover.
The film culminates in a breathtaking and theatrical climax with several confrontations, including what is considered one of the most iconic martial arts duels in history. In the end, The Raid 2 isn’t only about fighting to stay alive; it is about justice, sacrifice, and the cost of attaining peace in a world dominated by violent bloodshed and ruthless corruption.
Character and Performances
Iko Uwais picks up his role as Rama and gives a performance that balances physicality as well as an emotionally charged storyline. Unlike most action heroes who exhibit monolithic gritty toughness, Uwais’ Rama is a man who, while acting pragmatic, is deeply human – worn out, mourning, but resolute in his objective. He holds the film together as the moral anchor in the midst of a civilization succumbing to sociopathic disorder.
Arifin Putra as Uco represents a multilayered antagonist. His unrelenting drive to escape his father’s shadow makes Uco both tragic and horrifying. The transition from timid heir to ruthless usurper is nuanced in his writing.
The portrayal of Bangun by Tio Pakusadewo shows a more authoritative and multi-layered character trying to rule his empire from order rather than chaos. His conflict with his son’s rebelliousness adds layers of tragedy to the tale.
Other noteworthy characters are:
Yayan Ruhian as Prakoso, an enforcer in the criminal underworld with a complicated backstory.
Cecep Arif Rahman as the final battle’s karambit knife assassin.
Estelle Julie as Hammer Girl along with Very Tri Yulisman as Baseball Bat Man; lethally silent assassins whose intricately set action pieces are now regarded as iconic in the world of action filmography.
Direction and Action Choreography
Evans has yet again proven that he is an auteur in the realm of action cinema. The manga adaptations he has directed hold a special place in modern cinema not only for their sheer enjoyment but also for their masterful artistry. My personal favorite feature of his films is how fight scenes have a smooth flow while maintaining impact.
The choreography of this film, as executed by Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, is simply out of this world. The action spectacles in this film is unprecedented, from a muddy prison yard melee to a fast paced car chase to many other indoor close-quarter battles. The choreography is extremely creative, raw, and untamed form of energy.
The commitment towards storytelling through action is what distinguishes the Raid 2 from other action films. Each blow and slash encapsulates a part of the intricate story. Fighting is not confined to just being a form of entertainment; instead, it reveals identity, heightens conflict, and advances the storyline.
Themes and Tone
With the first Raid being straightforward, The Raid 2 becomes more intricate with themes revolving loyalty, identity, corruption, and the cost of violence. Rama’s journey is not merely about defeating criminals, but rather about fighting the moral abyss of darkness. Time and time again, he is forced to witness the betrayal and bloodshed, his ideals being ravaged to pieces.
There’s a Shakespearean quality to the story — fathers and sons, overreaching successors, and the implosion of civilizations for deep rotting internal rot. The film’s tone is grim and unrelenting but at times, meditative between violent outbursts. The film can be characterized as a crime epic rather than an action movie, The Godfather, Infernal Affairs, and Oldboy being emulated for their emotional intricacy and savage grace.
Cinematography and Music
Flannery’s cinematography reveals the combination of stylized violence and grittiness associated with Jakarta’s criminal underbelly. The camera becomes a part of the fight, cutting through narrow prison and city bathrooms as well as busy streets. The range of colors used is dependent on the scene. A cold industrial palette is used together with warm colors representing feelings.
Trapanese and Prayogi’s score brilliantly pairs with the visuals. The music alternates between ambient beats and electronic music which increases tension dervied from urgency and danger.
Reception and Legacy
The Raid 2 has been called a leading figure in modern action filmmaking claiming significant international popularity along with the Iko Uwais phenomenon. The film, however, not being a guaranteed success in North America, still became a cult classic worldwide. It has received sharp criticism saying that the film lacked narrative depth which was accompanied by endless praise for innovation, ambition and strict action choreography.
Everyone from the industry and even outside it can find value in the bold use of violence coupled with artistic expression, filmmakers and critics will find joy in its subversive structure and visual prose. The style has become iconic and everlasting.
Conclusion
The Raid 2 is a masterwork of cinema—a violent yet artistically compelling and painfully beautiful work of action filmmaking. It builds upon what was achieved in the first film, surpassing it in terms of plot, story, choreography, and direction. It is one of the unforgettable action films featuring deeply memorable characters alongside complex fights and a morally ambiguous story.
The Raid 2 is tailored for practitioners of the martial arts, action-packed dramas and intricate plots, as it tackles issues of high-octane violence—an action-packed opera that is severe and remains with you long after the credits have rolled.
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